unredacted

Unredacted is an adjective used to describe content that has not undergone redaction. Redaction is the process of editing a document to remove sensitive, classified, or confidential material before disclosure. An unredacted document therefore contains all of its original material, including information that might be considered private or sensitive.

The term is most often applied in government, legal, journalistic, and archival contexts. Agencies may release both redacted and unredacted versions of records, and researchers or journalists may seek unredacted copies through formal requests or court orders. In practice, the availability of an unredacted version can influence what is known about a matter, though access may be restricted by law, privacy protections, or security concerns.

Privacy, safety, and national security considerations frequently shape decisions about redaction. Even when a document is unredacted in one respect, other protections—such as personal data, sources, or ongoing investigations—may still limit how information can be used or published. Conversely, demands for transparency can drive the release of unredacted material, particularly in legal proceedings, oversight inquiries, or historical declassification efforts.

Etymology and usage notes: unredacted is formed from the prefix un- plus redacted, the past participle of redaction, which derives from Latin roots relating to drawing up or arranging. In everyday use, speakers commonly phrase it as “the unredacted version” of a document or report.